New Beginnings!

The beginning of a new year is a chance for new beginnings!  And that's what we are doing at the Refuge.  We have begun a few great new studies!

After a successful ski trip discovering what it means to be self>Less rather than selfish, we are forging ahead with two new series' on Wednesday night and Sunday night.  You won't want to miss either one!

First on Wednesday nights we've begun a very help and practical study of apologetics.  By that, I don't mean the art of learning to apologize (although that's helpful too!).  What I mean is the classical definition of apology, which is to make a defense.  The Greek word apologia means to reason, or make a defense.  It is often used in a legal context when someone makes a defense either for themselves or someone else.  As it relates to Christianity, apologetics is learning the art of reasoning and defending the faith!

I today's anti-Christian culture this is a must for every believer.  In fact, it is a biblical mandate.  Peter tells us in 1 Peter to "always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that we have."  That word "reason" is the greek work apologia.  That means, as believers we should always be prepared to make a defense/ give a reason for our faith.  But how do we do that?  That's why it is so important to equip ourselves with the knowledge to "destroy every lofty argument that is raised against Christ" (also in the bible! - 2 Cor. 10).  So what is your reason?  This study not only will build your student's faith, but it will also help them make sense of their "world-view" to other people while showing them that other "world-views" don't really make sense of the world.

This is a study for everyone!  Encourage your kids to come on Wednesday night.  I'll even buy more pizza if I have too!  It will be well worth their time and energy.


Secondly, on Sunday nights we've started a series on leadership.  Again, this is an important study for every student.  You might say, but I'm not really a leader of anything!  Wrong!  We are all leaders in one way or another.  In fact, Christians are called to be leaders.  To step out of their comfort zone and out of the flow of the world around them and live their lives according to scripture.  This is an act of leadership.  Most fundamentally, Christians are leaders.  But will you be a "Fearless Leader?"  That doesn't mean that you will never be afraid of course.  But fearless leaders face their fears and overcome them because of the power they have through the Holy Spirit.  "God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-control" (2 Tim 1:7).  Are you the kind of person that just floats down the river of life without a paddle; getting knocked around by every wave of influence that come your way?  Or are you a Fearless Christian Leader?  One who takes hold of the ore and navigates the rapids of life and avoids the waterfalls.

Josiah is an example of a King in the Bible who was a Fearless Leader.  Despite the evil influences of his father and grandfather and of the world around him, he chose to be influence by another ancestor; king David.  Josiah, followed after God and "did what was right in the sight of the Lord" (See 2 Chronicles 34).  And because of his fearless leadership God bless him and his kingdom.  Josiah is just one example of a person who depended upon the power of God, His word, and His strength, to get him past his fears and the "waves of the world" and onto the solid ground of life according to God's ways.  Will you be that kind of leader.

Come learn how to be a "Fearless Leader" on Sunday nights at the Refuge!

See you there!

Leadership

Fearless Leadership!  That's hard to come by these days.  Not only in our leaders, but even in ourselves.  That's right!  We are all leaders!  All of us influence others in some way.  We all know that, but what we don't often realize is that we are all influenced by someone or something!  Do you recognize the influences in your life? Fearless leaders do!  They not only recognize the influences, but they take control of them and choose which ones they let in.
King Josiah in the Old Testament had many influences on him as he became king when he was only 8 years old!  Not only that, but his dad was an unsavory man who set up high places and worshiped idols.  Even his great grandfather worshiped idols for much of his life until God finally got hold of him.  Josiah was undoubtedly influenced by his family, we all are!  However, Josiah chose to follow the example of his great, great, great...(x16) grandfather, King David rather than his father.  He chose to ignore certain bad influences from his family and allow other good ones from his ancestors to make an impact.  That's one sign of a fearless leader!
They aren't afraid of going against the grain of their influences when appropriate.  Not just with family, but with friends, popular culture, the work place, and the world around us.  Fearless leaders realize that they are influenced by things everyday, and instead of just being pushed around and letting others steer their course, they keep those outside forces in check.  They examine each one to determine whether it is going to help them reach their goals or not. And when they aren't helping, they remove them or turn the negative influence into something positive.  In other words, they take control of their lives, rather than allowing the current of the river to pull them down stream and over the raging waterfall.
What are the influences in your lives?  Are they good or Bad ones?  What are you going to do about it?